Ben O'Connor: Cork know exactly how good Limerick are, we have to try and improve from Tipp game

Give the attritional nature of the Munster SHC and compacted schedule, injuries and the knock-on reduction in selection options are pretty much an occupational hazard for managers.

That may yet prove to be the case for Cork but, for now, Ben O’Connor is happy to take the good fortune that gives him a stronger hand for Sunday’s visit of Limerick than the trip to face Tipperary last week.

With half-forward Diarmuid Healy – last year’s break-out star – having been expected to miss the opening two round-robin fixtures with a quad injury, the availability of the Lisgoold man for a place on the bench last week was welcome.

He was given a run in the closing stages and another week under his belt should ensure that he is well-placed to have some sort of impact against the Shannonsiders while Dáire O’Leary, who impressed at full-back for much of the Allianz Hurling League campaign, is also in the mix.

“It was great to get 15 or 16 minutes into Duds,” O’Connor said.

“He didn’t do much on Tuesday night but Thursday night he got a bit done and he had been able to a bit of hurling all along - that’s an advantage when it wasn’t a broken hand or a broken leg he had.

OPTIONS

“We’re lucky, really, apart from Eoin Roche we have everyone available. Dáire O’Leary was back training Tuesday night as well, which is another bonus.

“It all makes our job harder, which is what you want.” 

Had Cork lost in Thurles, then it’s likely that the Rebel support would be gripped with anxiety this week, given what another defeat would mean.

Two points on the board, going in against a side playing their first match, makes for a more relaxed mood – outside the camp, at least.

Inside, the task was going to turn to Limerick on Monday, regardless of events in the opening match and, speaking after it, O’Connor said that there would be no change in approach.

He does acknowledge the bounce that comes from victory, though.

“It was a boost, obviously,” he said.

“You get a championship win, against the team that beat you in your last championship game - on the outside, there was probably a bit of pressure so it’s good to respond the way we did.

“It’s two points on the board and we have to try to match that now on Sunday. The sun is starting to shine and it’s championship weather - even on Tuesday, it was a fine evening and all the fellas were out on the field well before training started.” 

It will be Cork’s third game against Limerick this year – the fourth if the Co-op SuperStores Munster Hurling League game in January is counted. All of the previous meetings were in Limerick and ended in defeat, most recently in the league final three weeks ago.

“You can never get enough games against the best teams,” O’Connor said.

You’re learning all the time and it helps you.

“Obviously, Sunday is at home too – lads are familiar with the place and we’ve had big crowds for league and championship for the last couple of years.

“That won’t be enough to win it on its own though and we know exactly how good Limerick are, so we have try to improve from the last day.”